How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : David Bowie, The Lilac Time, Queen, Wasp, Hazel O’Connor, Sammy Hagar, Dio, Roger Taylor, Killing Joke, Yello, Thomas Dolby, Robert Marlow
They are the performers of twelve vintage amusing, puzzling and sometimes shocking videos of songs that were ranked in various charts, this week (33/52) BUT … in the Eighties 80s.
1. What notable theme from the 1970s does David Bowie revisit in “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)”?
- A Isolation
- B Financial insecurity
- C Environmentalism
2. Which lyrical inspiration led to the naming of The Lilac Time?
- A A historical event
- B Nick Drake’s “River Man”
- C A family heirloom
3. Which Queen member first announces their own name in “The Invisible Man”?
- A Brian May
- B Roger Taylor
- C Freddie Mercury
4. What television show inspired the title of W.A.S.P.’s lead single?
- A Barney Miller
- B Miami Vice
- C Hill Street Blues
5. What novel concept does Hazel O’Connor’s track from “Breaking Glass” reflect?
- A Human ascension
- B Man-made DNA
- C Technological takeover
6. Which instrument is played by Eddie Van Halen on Sammy Hagar’s 1987 track?
- A Guitar
- B Bass
- C Drums
7. What does Ronnie James Dio describe in the lyrics of his debut album’s title track?
- A A mystical resurrection
- B A Christ-like figure on another planet
- C A never-ending battle
8. Which Queen member contributes rhythm guitar to Roger Taylor’s song from his second solo album?
- A John Deacon
- B Brian May
- C Freddie Mercury
9. How is the track length of Killing Joke’s single from “Brighter Than a Thousand Suns” characterized?
- A A concise radio edit
- B A dynamic mini-album
- C A standard LP version
10. Which legendary singer provides lead vocals on Yello’s 1987 single?
- A Shirley Bassey
- B Tina Turner
- C Donna Summer
11. Which musical instrument prominently shaped Thomas Dolby’s single from “The Golden Age of Wireless”?
- A Moog synthesizer
- B PPG Wave Computer
- C Yamaha DX7
12. What classic novel serves as the inspiration for Robert Marlow’s debut single?
- A Pride and Prejudice
- B Jane Eyre
- C The Picture of Dorian Gray
For TWELVE more ‘Vous Avez Dit Bizarre’ – Vintage 80s Music Videos – week 33/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . David Bowie – Ashes To AshesFeatured on the 1980 album “Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)“.
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2 . The Lilac Time – Return To YesterdayFeatured on the 1987 album “The Lilac Time”.
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3 . Queen – The Invisible ManFeatured on the 1989 album “The Miracle“.
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4 . Wasp – I Wanna Be SomebodyFeatured on the 1984 album “W.A.S.P.”.
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5 . Hazel O’Connor – Eighth DayFeatured on the 1980 album “Breaking Glass”.
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6 . Sammy Hagar – Give To LiveFeatured on the 1987 album “I Never Said Goodbye”.
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7 . Dio – Holy DiverFeatured on the 1983 album “Holy Diver“.
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8 . Roger Taylor – Strange FrontierFeatured on the 1984 album “Strange Frontier”.
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9 . Killing Joke – AdorationsFeatured on the 1986 album “Brighter than a Thousand Suns”.
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10 . Yello – The Rhythm DivineFeatured on the 1987 album “One Second”.
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11 . Thomas Dolby – Windpower |
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12 . Robert Marlow – The Face Of Dorian GrayFeatured on the 1999 album “The Peter Pan Effect”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. David Bowie touches on his familiar theme of isolation in “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps),” connecting it to both Major Tom and his own experiences with drug addiction in the 1970s.
2. The name The Lilac Time is derived from a line in Nick Drake’s song “River Man.” This reflects the band’s connection to English folk-rock roots.
3. In “The Invisible Man,” Freddie Mercury first announces John Deacon and Brian May, while Roger Taylor amusingly rolls an “r” to announce himself like a drum roll.
4. The title for W.A.S.P.’s single “I Wanna Be Somebody” was inspired by a line from the TV show Barney Miller. It’s a catchy tribute to Lawless’s motivation for success.
5. Hazel O’Connor’s track from “Breaking Glass” reflects the concept of a technological takeover, referencing a man-made machine narrative that parallels the Book of Genesis.
6. On Sammy Hagar’s 1987 track, Eddie Van Halen traded his guitar prowess for bass duties, maintaining his rock credentials with backing vocals.
7. Ronnie James Dio narrates a tale of a Christ-like figure on another planet, forming a central allegory within his debut album’s title track.
8. On Roger Taylor’s solo album, Brian May is credited with playing rhythm guitar, illustrating the collaborative spirit amongst Queen members outside the band’s primary discography.
9. Killing Joke’s single from “Brighter Than a Thousand Suns” runs in an album version of just under five minutes. Its maxi single is a more encompassing listen at 17:39.
10. In 1987, Shirley Bassey lent her iconic voice to Yello’s single, firmly reinforcing the song’s standing in European pop charts.
11. Thomas Dolby’s single prominently features the PPG Wave Computer, capturing the synth-pop essence of the early 1980s.
12. Robert Marlow drew inspiration from Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” for his debut single, merging literary themes with the synth-pop sound of the era.
















